Trump Slams Chris Christie, Reviving ‘Bridgegate’
Former President Donald Trump threatened to revive the “Bridgegate” lawsuit against former Governor Chris Christie in a fiery social media rant.
Christie criticized Trump’s Justice Department and dismissed Ghislaine Maxwell’s praise on ABC’s This Week. Trump’s Republican detractor Christie accused the previous president of law-bending for political advantage.
Trump blasted Christie on Truth Social and resurrected the 2013 George Washington Bridge closure. “Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly George Washington Bridge closure to avoid prison, sacrificing his workers, including a young mother?” Mr. Trump wrote. “Chris denied responsibility for these crimes.”
Former Republican allies Trump and Christie are turning unfriendly. Christie supported Trump in 2016, but he has since become a vocal opponent, notably in the 2024 GOP primary. Christie slams Trump’s record while Trump replies with personal attacks, deepening their dispute.
Bridgegate nearly killed Christie’s political career, Trump said. Fort Lee’s Democratic mayor, Mark Sokolich, was allegedly punished by the George Washington Bridge lane closures, which created days of traffic, for not endorsing Christie’s re-election.
Three close Christie associates were charged with conspiracy, but Christie was not. Christie Port Authority appointee David Wildstein acknowledged planning. In 2016, Christie’s deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly and Port Authority deputy executive director Bill Baroni were convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy.
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned their convictions, ruling that their deception did not violate federal fraud laws because no money or property was sought.
Bridgegate destroyed Christie’s national reputation, especially as he considered a 2016 presidential run. Christie’s national politics comments appear to be undermined by Trump’s resurrection.
Christie blasted Trump for accepting compliments from troubled individuals like Ghislaine Maxwell on This Week. “She might as well have said, ‘The man who can pardon me has never done anything wrong,’” Christie said.
Trump allegedly mingled with convicted criminals and weakened the legal system to manipulate public perception. Trump slammed Christie as “Sloppy Chris” and denied the claims.
“Maybe we should revisit that serious justice situation? No one is above the law!” Trump posted.
Trump and Christie’s fight shows Republican power struggles. Christie is one of the few Republicans willing to oppose Trump, who exploits his platform to sideline opponents and reshape the political narrative.
Trump may be using Bridgegate to bash Christie and remind voters of past scandals, but it risks reigniting a New Jerseyan political scandal. Former president and governor hostility persists, although its strength is unknown.
